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Downtown Spokane Plan Fast Forward Spokane: Downtown Plan Update The Fast Forward Spokane: Downtown Plan Update was crafted to fully integrate visions, urban planning, design guidelines and regulatory recommendations with a comprehensive public participation and outreach process. Below is a copy of the Downtown Plan Update adopted into the City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan on Monday, December 22, 2009. If you have questions regarding the Plan Update please contact the City of Spokane Planning Department at (509) 625-6060 or the Downtown Spokane Partnership at (509) 456-0580 or http://www.downtownspokane.org/. Updated Downtown Spokane Plan - Fast Forward Spokane After the Downtown Plan Update was completed the Downtown design guidelines and development standards were updated. The updated design guidelines and development standards went into effect on January 16th, 2010. Link to the Downtown Zoning Chapter (SMC 17C.124) Link to the Design Review Application Handbook Link to the updated Downtown Design Guidelines Link to the Downtown Character Area Considerations Maps related to the Downtown Zoning code: Ordinance C34523 - Updated Downtown Zoning Map Downtown Complete Streets Map referenced in Downtown Zones Chapter 17C.124 Downtown Design Review Threshold Map - SMC 17G.040-M1 Downtown Parking Requirement Map - SMC 17C.230-M1 Downtown Surface Parking Limited Area Map - SMC 17C.124-M1 Citizens involved with the Downtown Plan Update made it clear that quality design is important for improving quality of life, economic vitality, and a positive visual image for the Downtown and this is reflected in the Plan Update. Chapter 2 of the Plan Update provides an example of this—“The built form - composed of buildings, streets, sidewalks, and public open spaces - plays a crucial role in the vitality, perception, and livability of Downtown.”
So what is quality design and what can the City do to help encourage it?
Well-designed projects contribute to great pedestrian streets and help build districts and neighborhoods. Quality design is exemplified by projects that “fit” within their context, contribute generously to the public realm, and enhance the sense of community identity and pride.
Tools for encouraging quality design Downtown include the Design Standards which set measurable code criteria for elements such as allowable heights, number of windows, walkway width, and required elements such as street trees. In addition, Downtown Design Guidelines are utilized by proponents of new development projects and the City’s Design Review Committee to ensure consistency with the Downtown Plan Update. Design Guidelines identify important objectives and include ideas for design solutions.
Link to the updated Downtown Design Guidelines Design Review provides a forum for citizens and developers to work toward achieving a quality urban environment through attention to fundamental design principles. Design Review is intended to assist developers and designers on specific projects for the purpose of helping them positively contribute to Downtown Spokane. Design guidelines offer a flexible tool, an alternative to prescriptive design standards, which allow new development to respond better to the unique character of its surroundings. Link to the Design Review Application Handbook
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